Early childhood advocates to speak at Pugh Hall Monday

February 19, 2015

David Lawrence and Vance Aloupis will discuss the history and progress of the Children's Movement of Florida at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23 in the Pugh Hall Ocora.

The Children’s Movement is a non-partisan grassroots organization working towards the increased investment in Florida’s children during the first five years of life.

Lawrence, the 2014 Bob Graham Center Citizen of the Year, and Aloupis, named the Young Floridian of 2014, will address the importance of improving Florida’s VPK program, implementing skill building programs for parents, securing health insurance for all children, screening and treatment for children with special needs and establishing high-quality mentoring programs.

A 1963 UF journalism graduate, former publisher of The Miami Herald and a leading advocate of early childhood education nationwide, Lawrence is president of the Early Childhood Initiative Foundation of Miami and the namesake of a UF endowed chair in early childhood studies.

Some of his efforts have helped Florida become a national leader in the movement for school readiness and high-quality early development, care and education. He is president of the Early Childhood Initiative Foundation in Miami, and in 2002 led the successful campaign for The Children’s Trust, which provides early intervention and prevention funding for children in Miami-Dade.

Named by Gov. Jeb Bush to the Florida Partnership for School Readiness, Lawrence was a key figure in the passage of the statewide constitutional amendment that provides high-quality, pre-kindergarten availability for all 4-year-olds.

Aloupis joined The Children's Movement in June 2010, and now serves as the organization's statewide director.

The event and parking are free and open to the public.

This program is sponsored by the University of Florida office of Human Resource Services, Baby Gator, the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, Health Equity and Service Learning Programs at the University of Florida College of Medicine and the Bob Graham Center for Public Service.

For more information, please visit http://www.bobgrahamcenter.ufl.edu/.